Alphabet Sensory Activities – Free PDF

Are you looking for multisensory activities to help your students learn the alphabet? Or maybe you are looking for sensory-motor activities that are related to the alphabet. Here are free sample alphabet sensory activities for the letters A and Z. You can download them for free at the bottom of this post. These free sample pages are from the complete Alphabet Athletics Packet.

WHAT SKILLS DO THE ALPHABET SENSORY ACTIVITIES WORK ON?

This free printable helps kids work on the following skills:

• Letter recognition
• Fine motor skills
• Gross motor skills
• Handwriting
• Visual perceptual skills
• Motor planning
• Body awareness
• Coordination
• Balance and more!

HOW DO YOU COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY?

There are five sections to each alphabet sensory activity page:

1. Trace and color a picture.
2. Rainbow trace the letter.
3. Make the letter using play dough.
4. Complete a maze.
5. Make the letter with your body and your hand.

HOW TO GET ACCESS TO THE FREE PRINTABLE

All you need to do is follow these three steps to access the printable page for preschoolers, kindergarten students, elementary and homeschool students:

1. Sign up to receive the emails from Your Therapy Source. If you already get our emails, you can enter your email in the box. You will not be subscribed twice.
2. You will be redirected to download the PDF format file of the printable activity.
3. Print or screen share the activity.

OTHER WAYS TO COMPLETE THE ALPHABET SENSORY ACTIVITIES

Here are a few options to modify or differentiate this activity:

• Print on cardstock paper and laminate it.  Use wipe-off markers to write on the free printable.
• Make it easier by: highlighting the maze path and the student can trace over the highlighter marks, model making the letter with your body and your hand
• Make it more difficult by: printing two to a page so the letter is smaller to trace.
• Add in physical activity by: proving more action words that start with that letter. Cut the worksheet up into 5 sections and complete an obstacle course to complete each section.

WHY ARE THESE SKILLS IMPORTANT FOR THE CHILDREN TO PRACTICE WITH THIS FREE PRINTABLE?

Here are more details about this free printable and why the skills are important to practice.

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Fine motor skills refer to the ability to control small muscles in the hands and fingers. For example in this activity, the children have to: sign the letter and use play dough to create the letter.

Fine motor skills develop throughout childhood and continue to improve into adulthood. They are important for activities such as writing, typing,  cooking, and using other tools. There are many ways to improve fine motor skills, including occupational therapy, targeted exercises, and adaptive devices. Get more fine motor activity ideas.

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS 

Gross motor skills are the ability to use large muscles to complete tasks. Examples of gross motor skills include walking, running, jumping, climbing, and throwing. 

For example, in this activity, the children have to: use their body to make the letter

These skills develop during childhood and continue to improve into adolescence. Gross motor skills are important for daily living activities, such as getting dressed or going up and down stairs. They also play a role in sports and other recreational activities. gross motor skills can be difficult for some children to develop. However, there are many resources and activities available to help those who struggle. Physical therapists can assess gross motor skills and provide strategies for improvement. With practice and guidance, gross motor skills can be improved as children grow and develop. Get more gross motor activity ideas.

VISUAL MOTOR SKILLS

Visual motor skills are the ability to use information from our visual system to guide our motor system. This can include skills such as catching a ball, writing, drawing, and cutting with scissors. Visual motor skills involve the coordination of both large and small muscles.

For example, in this activity the children have to: trace the picture, color it in, complete the maze, and write the letter.

Additionally, visual motor skills develop over time – infants and toddlers typically have poorer visual motor skills than school-aged children or adults.There are many ways to improve visual motor skills, such as by playing sports, engaging in crafts, or participating in other activities that require coordination and fine motor skills. Anyone can benefit from improving their visual motor skills! Get more visual motor activity ideas.

BODY AWARENESS

Body awareness is the ability to sense and be aware of the body in space. This includes the ability to feel where the body is in relation to the surrounding environment and to maintain a sense of balance. Body awareness is important for everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and reaching for objects. It is also important for more complex activities such as dance and martial arts. 

For this activity, the children are: create the letter with their body and move their fingers to sign the word.

People with poor body awareness may have difficulty with coordination and balance. They may also have trouble knowing where their body parts are in space, which can lead to clumsiness. There are various exercises that can help to improve body awareness, such as yoga and coordination exercises.  Improving body awareness can help to improve coordination, balance, and flexibility. Read more about body awareness.

HANDWRITING

Handwriting is still an important skill especially important for young children, who are still developing their ability to form letters and fine motor skills. Handwriting can also help to boost memory and concentration. It is a wonderful form of self-expression. 

In the activity, the children are working on the following aspects of handwriting: rainbow write the letter

Whether you are writing a letter to a friend, filling out a job application, or keeping a journal, your handwriting says something about who you are. Check out all these handwriting resources.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO USE THIS ACTIVITY?

The free printable is great to use for:

• Fine Motor stations
• Gross Motor stations
• Brain breaks
• Early finishers
• Occupational Therapy Session
• Physical Therapy Session
• Carry over activities at home
• School breaks
• Anytime kids need some extra motor skill practice!

More Multisensory Alphabet Activities

Alphabet Bingo Freebie

Alphabet Play Dough Mat

Fun Alphabet Games for Preschoolers